In-line roller skate with internal support and external ankle cuff

ABSTRACT

A roller skate includes an upper  1112 , including a substantially non-rigid upper portion  1120  secured to a base  1118 . A frame  1114  secured to the base carries a plurality of wheels  1116 . The substantially non-rigid upper portion is reinforced by a substantially rigid internal heel counter  1134 . An ankle support cuff assembly  1110  is pivotally secured to the internal heel counter  1134 . The ankle support cuff assembly includes a substantially rigid ankle support cuff  1142  that is pivotally secured on lateral and medial sides to the internal heel counter. Ankle pad  1144  lines the interior of the ankle support cuff  1142 . Ankle support cuff  1142  is fastened by a selectively securable fastener  1148  about the skater&#39;s ankle. The ankle support cuff assembly pivots freely in the forward and aft direction relative to the internal heel counter  1134.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.08/668,278, filed Jun. 21, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part ofutility application Ser. No. 08/484,467, filed Jun. 7, 1995, which is acontinuation of utility application Ser. No. 08/094,576, filed Jul. 19,1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,466.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to in-line roller skateconstructions and, more particularly, to pivoting ankle supportstructures for in-line roller skates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In-line roller skates typically include a plurality of alignedwheels with parallel axles secured to a skate frame. A skate boot orshoe is attached to the top of the frame. Most skate manufacturerscurrently construct the boots and shoes (the “skate upper”) with a base,a plastic shell extending upwardly from the base, and a removable liner.The shell may include a cuff portion pivotally attached to a lowerportion of the shell to ease fore and aft movement of the skater's legwhile providing medial and lateral support. Alternatively the plasticshell may extend upwardly to the top of the skate above the anklewithout the cuff being pivotally secured to the lower portion. Rigidhockey skates are also in the prior art. These skates typically do nothave a plastic outer shell. Hockey skates may have a leather orleather/nylon outer shell with internal stiffening/support members.While hockey skate constructions provide necessary support for thissport they do not easily flex forwardly and rearwardly.

[0004] Most in-line roller skates are very maneuverable and are capableof higher speeds than those customarily associated with conventionalpaired wheel roller skates. In-line roller skating is generallyconsidered to require higher levels of skill, coordination, and strengththan conventional paired wheel roller skating because of the narrow,lateral support base associated with in-line roller skates.Specifically, while balancing in the forward and rear direction isrelatively easy for even inexperienced skaters, balancing in thesideward or lateral direction is difficult because of the narrow supportbase and is heavily dependent upon the skater's balancing andcoordination skills. Proper ankle and foot supports within the uppershoe portion of the in-line roller skate aid in lateral balancing.

[0005] To obtain the optimum performance from an in-line roller skate,it is important that the in-line roller skate be maintained in asubstantially vertical position. The upper shoe portion of the in-lineroller skate serves competing purposes of providing support and comfort;comfort in a shoe not usually being associated with a high degree ofsupport. In other words, the incorporation of rigid support structuresin the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate tends to addstiffness and bulk, and, considering the warm weather environmentsconducive to inline roller skating, tends to make the skates, heavy,hot, and uncomfortable. Because serious ankle and other injuries canresult if comfort is favored over support, proper support in an in-lineroller skate has been the dominant design criteria in the past.

[0006] As discussed briefly above, the conventional upper shoe portionof the in-line roller skate is usually formed of rigid, non-breathable,plastic materials having an inner liner. The plastic material generallyforms the outer structure of the upper shoe portion, thereby requiringthat a soft inner liner of sponge rubber or other like material beincluded to provide comfort to the user. Since such soft materialscombined with the rigid plastic shell are good insulators and do notreadily transmit heat or air away from the user's foot, the result is ahot upper shoe portion.

[0007] To provide lateral stability, conventional alpine ski bootdesigns have readily been adapted to in-line roller skates. These bootsprovide support and durability, characteristics necessary for in-lineroller skates. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,351,537 and 5,171,033 are both exemplaryof rigid injection molded boots adapted to winter sports, such as iceskating and alpine skiing, which have been modified for in-line rollerskating applications. These patents disclose an upper boot portion thatcomprises a hard plastic outer shell with a soft inner liner. While thistype of boot design is well-suited for cold weather sports, the uppershoe portion tends to be hot and uncomfortable when used in warm weathersports such as in-line roller skating. The '033 patent suggests that byincluding “primarily unobstructed ventilation ports” in the rigidsynthetic outer shell of the upper shoe portion, air can circulatearound the skater's foot, thereby eliminating some of the heatassociated with the hard plastic outer shell. While this patent seeks toaddress the issue of comfort, the disclosed upper shoe portion is stillconfigured of two parts, including a hard plastic outer shell and a softinner liner, which in warm weather conditions can be uncomfortable,compared to conventional walking and/or running shoes due to excessiveheat buildup. The result is that the skater's feet are often hot, damp,and uncomfortable.

[0008] Another problem with the adoption of injection molded ski-typeboots to inline roller skating is that while providing excellent lateralstiffness and rigidity for lateral ankle support, these boots alsocreate unnecessary and unwanted forward/rearward stiffness and rigidity.Ski-type boots detract from the performance characteristics of the skatebecause they limit the range of motion of the skater's legs and feet andtherefore, the ability of the skater to utilize the full extent of hisstrength and agility.

[0009] Further, it is desirable for an in-line roller skate upper shoeportion to be lightweight. Boots that are well-suited to skiingapplications wherein it is not necessary to raise and lower the bootwith every movement of the foot (because the skier relies on gravity toprovide the forward or downward motion) prove heavy and bulky whenadapted to in-line roller skating. When skating on a flat surface, theinline roller skater must lift the boot with every stride to provide aforward impetus, and a heavy upper shoe portion causes fatigue andreduces skating enjoyment.

[0010] Alternative modes of providing both comfort and adequate supportfor in-line roller skating have been suggested. Specifically, U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,963,252, 4,418,929, and 5,069,462 show roller skate frames thatinclude a platform adapted to allow the skater to wear a conventionalstreet shoe that is inserted into a series of braces and supports. Theseskates offer alternative shoe and frame designs to the rigid plasticouter shell and inner liner of the conventional in-line roller skate.However, significant problems exist with such designs in that theadjustable braces and supports of these designs, while needed toaccommodate numerous shoe sizes and shapes, are bulky and uncomfortable.Additionally, there is a limited range of shoe types that the skateswill accommodate, and thus, there is the additional requirement that theskater have the proper shoe type to properly utilize the skate.

[0011] The outer plastic shells of previous in-line roller skates havecreated difficulty in styling the skates such as has been done withhiking boots and other footwear that have not had rigid outer shells.However, the rigid outer shells have thought to be necessary to provideadequate medial and lateral support while allowing ease of fore and aftmovement of the leg of the skater relative to the skater's foot duringskating. A recreational skater may not have the required strength andability to utilize a low-cut skate which provides ease of movement. Theskate would not provide enough lateral and medial support. Skates thatdo provide lateral and medial support and that do not include the rigidplastic outer shell construction include hockey skates. Hockey skates doprovide adequate, lateral and medial support for the skater's ankle.However, fore and aft movement of the lower leg of the skater relativeto the skater's foot is also limited. The hockey skate uppers aregenerally quite rigid and unforgiving. Therefore, a need exists toprovide a skate that includes an upper structural support member formedial and lateral support while providing for ease of fore and aftmovement without totally encompassing the skater's foot in a rigidplastic shell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In accordance with the present invention a skate for receiving afoot of a skater is disclosed. The skate includes a frame, a rigid base,a substantially non-rigid upper portion, and a substantially rigid upperportion. The frame has a means for riding on a surface. The rigid baseis securely attached to the frame. The base is adapted to support thebottom of the skater's foot and includes a heel portion and a toeportion adapted to support the areas beneath the heel, ball, and toes ofthe skater's foot. The substantially non-rigid upper portion is adaptedto receive the skater's foot. It substantially covers the top and ankleof the skater's foot and is permanently affixed to the rigid base. Thesubstantially rigid upper portion is coupled to the non-rigid upperportion and to the rigid base. The rigid upper portion includes an anklesupport cuff extending above the skater's ankle when wearing the skate.The rigid upper portion is adjacent only portions of the non-rigid upperportion, leaving a substantial portion of the vamp of the skate withoutrigid support directly adjacent thereto. The non-rigid upper portionextends to above the cuff.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment of the invention the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion includes an outer shell. The ankle support cuffis disposed beneath the outer shell. In one aspect of the invention thesubstantially non-rigid upper portion also includes billows in a frontportion and a rear portion of the ankle area of the upper portion. Thebillows are adapted to allow flexible movement of the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion.

[0014] In another preferred aspect of the invention the substantiallyrigid upper portion further includes an internal heel counter beneaththe outer shell. The ankle support cuff is pivotally connected to theinternal heel counter. An external heel counter may also extend upwardlyfrom the base around the heel portion of the upper portion on theoutside of the outer shell.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention the internal heel counter andthe ankle support cuff are pivotally interconnected with a reducedsection of heel counter material, the heel counter and ankle supportcuff being integrally formed.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment of the invention the heel counterincludes two sides with recesses along the inner portion of the topsthereof. The ankle support cuff includes lower edges disposed at leastpartially within the recesses. Preferably, the recesses include groovesextending downwardly therein. The cuff includes downwardly projectingtongues on either side thereof disposed within the grooves. The recessesin the sides of the heel counter are preferably arcuate in shape andcomplementary arcuately shaped tongues exist on the sides of the cuff.The recesses are preferably disposed on the inner sides of the heelcounter with the lower portion of the cuff overlapping the heel counteron the inner sides thereof.

[0017] A further aspect of the preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes substantially rigid support panels disposed on the sides of theinterface between the heel counter and the ankle support cuff. Thesupport panels are fixed to the heel counter such that the ankle supportcuff is movable relative to the panels.

[0018] One aspect of an alternate embodiment of the invention includesarcuate slots within the arcuate portions of the heel counter. In thisembodiment, the cuff further includes pins through the bottom arcuateportions thereof. The pins extend through the slots in the heel counter.

[0019] In another alternate embodiment of the invention the arcuateportions of the heel counter and the arcuate portions of the cuff areinterconnected with arms attached therebetween. These arcuate portionsof the heel counter preferably include recesses for receiving thearcuate portions of the cuff.

[0020] The preferred embodiment of the invention may also be describedas a skate for receiving a foot of the skater that includes a frame, arigid base, an external heel counter, an upper having an outer shell, asubstantially rigid internal heel counter, and a substantially rigidankle support cuff. The frame has wheels or a blade for riding on asurface. The rigid base is securely attached to the frame. The externalheel counter extends upwardly from the base around the heel portion ofthe skate. The outer shell is constructed of substantially soft pliablematerial. The internal heel counter is disposed beneath the outer shelland extends around the heel area of the skate above the top of theexternal heel counter. The ankle support cuff is pivotally coupled tothe internal heel counter and disposed beneath the outer shell.Preferably, the internal heel counter also includes at least one groovealong at least a portion thereof for receiving the lower edge of thecuff in substantially sliding engagement therewith.

[0021] The above-described skate construction provides a skate that hasgreat aesthetic appeal without substantial plastic material on theexternal body of the skate. The skate also provides superior lateral andmedial support while allowing fore and aft movement of the lower leg ofthe skater relative to the skater's foot, with the cuff being pivotallysecured within the upper.

[0022] A further embodiment of the present invention includes asubstantially rigid, internal heel counter and an external,substantially rigid ankle cuff. The skate includes a base defining anundersurface, an upper surface, and a toe and heel end. A frame issecured to the undersurface of the base, for mounting a plurality ofwheels or other ground engaging member. A substantially non-rigid upperportion is secured to the upper surface of the base. A substantiallyrigid internal heel counter is secured to and extends upwardly from theheel end of the base, and is received within and covered by thesubstantially non-rigid upper portion. The substantially rigid anklecuff, fastenable about a skater's ankle, is pivotally secured to anupper portion of the heel counter. The substantially rigid ankle cuff isable to pivot forwardly freely relative to the internal heel counter,substantially without resistance from the non-rigid upper portion.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, a substantially rigid ankle cuff issecured to the heel counter and substantially non-rigid upper portiononly by the pivotal connection to the internal heel counter, and isotherwise separate from the non-rigid upper portion. An ankle pad linesan interior surface of the ankle cuff and extends downwardly,terminating at a free lower end within the internal heel counter. Thisembodiment of the invention allows the ankle cuff to pivot substantiallyfreely from resistance due to the lower portion of the skate, to followthe natural motion of the lower leg of a skater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating a soft boot skate with a rigid heel counter andcuff pivotally interconnected within the outer shell of the skate;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the skate of FIG. 1 showing thesoft portion of the upper and the toe cap in phantom view;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the skateillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with sections of the interior of the skatecut away to show the cuff/counter interface;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view cut verticallythrough the skate and extending through the pivot locations of the cuff;

[0029]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including a pivot neck between the heel counter and internalcuff;

[0030]FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the inventionillustrating flex arms used between the internal cuff and heel counter;

[0031]FIG. 7 illustrates another alternate embodiment with a single flexarm to secure the internal cuff to the heel counter;

[0032]FIG. 8 illustrates another alternate embodiment with a flex crossat the interface between the heel counter and cuff;

[0033]FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment with the arcuateinterconnection between the internal cuff and heel counter beingreversed from previous embodiments;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternate embodiment withoutsubstantial interconnection between the internal cuff and heel counterother than a tongue and groove arrangement;

[0035]FIG. 11 illustrates another alternate embodiment utilizing a pinand slot arrangement between the internal cuff and heel counter;

[0036]FIG. 12 illustrates another alternate embodiment with a pin andslot arrangement;

[0037]FIG. 13 is an illustration of flex billows that may be used on theexternal shell of the skate to provide for movement of the cuff portionof the skate relative to the lower portion;

[0038]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinternal support structure of the skate showing inner and outer supportscovering the joints between the internal cuff and heel counter;

[0039]FIG. 15 provides a side elevation view of an alternate embodimentof the present invention, including an internal heel counter, shown inphantom, and an external ankle support cuff pivotally secured thereto;

[0040]FIG. 16 provides a perspective view of the skate of FIG. 15, witha portion of the ankle support cuff assembly broken away for clarity;and

[0041]FIG. 17 provides a cross-sectional view of the skate of FIG. 15,taken through a transverse plane passing through the pivot axis of theankle cuff.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, an in-line roller skate 10 made according tothe present invention is disclosed. In-line skate 10 includes an upper12 connected to a frame 14, which secures wheels 16. Upper 12 includes arigid base 18 for interconnection to frame 14. Preferably, rigid base 18extends beneath upper 12 substantially from heel to toe. An externalheel counter 20 is preferably integrally formed with base 18.Alternatively, external heel counter 20 could be omitted or formedseparately, unattached to base 18. A toe cap 22 is also separatelyformed and attached to base 18 to protect the toe end of the skate fromscuffs and wear. A toe cap 22 also protects the skater's foot fromimpacts with hard surfaces.

[0043] Most of the rest of upper 12 is constructed of soft, breathable,pliable material of the type commonly used in shoes or hiking boots.Thus, synthetic or natural leathers and meshes or other fabrics may beused to construct the soft portions of upper 12. These portions includea fore foot portion 24 generally below the ankle area of the skate andan ankle portion 26 at and above the ankle portion of the skate. Laces28 are preferably used to secure upper 12 tightly around the foot of theskater in a conventional fashion. However, buckles, straps, Velcro™, orother fasteners may alternatively be used. In the preferred embodimentof the invention forward billows 32 and aft billows 30 are securedwithin cutout portions of upper 12 just over the heel and between theankle and fore foot portions 26 and 24 of upper 12. Forward and aftbillows 32 and 30 allow ease of flexing of ankle portion 26 relative tofore foot portion 24.

[0044] Much of the construction of the upper of the skate is similar tothat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,466 incorporated herein byreference. The skate disclosed in the parent application (U.S. Pat. No.5,437,466) includes a soft pliable upper. The upper disclosed in the'466 patent provides medial and lateral support as well as fore and aftflexibility with a rigid external heel counter pivotally interconnectedwith a rigid external cuff. The same concept is employed in the presentinvention. However, the present application provides further details andconstructions with a rigid heel counter and cuff placed inside therelatively soft outer shell 44 of upper 12. An internal heel counter 34is preferably attached to base 18 by connection to an outer shell 44 anda last board 52 (illustrated in FIG. 3). Internal heel counter 34 risesfrom base 18 beginning at approximately the middle of the sides of base18 upwardly toward ankle portion 26 of upper 12. Internal heel counter34 then gradually descends to a position below aft billows 30 at therear of the heel portion of upper 12 and above external heel counter 20.Thus, internal heel counter 34 is cantilevered upwardly from externalheel counter 20 except that it has outer shell 44 placed therebetween inthe preferred embodiment.

[0045]FIG. 2 further illustrates the heel counter/internal cuffconstruction. The right and left sides of internal heel counter 34 aresubstantially the same except for variations due to differences in theanatomical shapes and movements between the medial and lateral sides ofthe skater's feet. The uppermost portion of both sides of internal heelcounter 34 includes recesses with arcuate lower boundaries. The bottomof the recesses preferably includes grooves 40 into which an ankle cuff36 is engaged with a tongue and groove configuration. Pivot pins 38 aresecured at the radial centers of the arcuate portions and extend betweenankle cuff 36 and internal heel counter 34. Preferably pivot pins 38 arerivets. Pivot pins 38 allow fore and aft movement of ankle cuff 36relative to internal heel counter 34. Pivot pins 38 restrict lateral andmedial flex of ankle cuff 36. Ankle cuff 36 is constructed of a rigidmaterial such as plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic. The material isrigid relative to the softer portions of upper 12 that surround most ofthe rest of the foot of the skater. Ankle cuff 36 is preferably U-shapedas viewed from above such that it surrounds the lower leg of the skaterand ankle of the skater from behind toward the front of the skate. Anklecuff 36 preferably does not entirely surround the ankle or lower leg ofthe skater but preferably extends in front of the ankle bones. Thus,ankle cuff 36 provides medial and lateral support to the skater's anklewhile allowing fore and aft flex about pivot pin 38. Ankle portion 26 ofupper 12 is able to flex fore and aft with ankle cuff 36 since it issecured therearound and is of a softer, more flexible material thanankle cuff 36. Thereby, with the above described construction, a skateis provided that has the pleasing aesthetic appearance of a sport shoeor hiking boot with superior medial and lateral support and fore and aftflexibility that are required for in-line skating.

[0046] The arrangement of pivot pin 38 and groove 40 with a cuff tongue42 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) provides a strong and supportiveinterconnection between ankle cuff 36 and internal heel counter 34. Bothmedial and lateral flex are restricted by both sides of ankle cuff 36with this arrangement since there is a vertical space between pivot pin38 and the tongue and groove arrangement.

[0047]FIG. 3 further illustrates the details of the layering of upper12. As discussed above, a cuff tongue 42 extends downwardly from cuff 36to interface with groove 40 of heel counter 34. Thus, a slidingarrangement exists between cuff 36 and heel counter 34 at the interfacebetween the two with a semi-circular tongue and groove interface. Theportion of internal heel counter 34 that extends above pivot pin 38 ispreferably on the outside of ankle cuff 36 to provide additional supportwhen any portion of cuff 36 is pushed outwardly in a medial or lateraldirection.

[0048] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper 12 includes the outer shell 44mentioned above substantially encompassing the majority of upper 12.Outer layer or shell 44 is preferably constructed of a leather orflexible man-made materials. Outer shell 44 is secured to base 18, toecap 22, and external heel counter 20. Outer shell 44 extends to the topof upper 12 where it is preferably joined to an inner lining 46. Innerlining 46 lines the interior walls of upper 12. Inner lining 46 ispreferably a breathable material such as a tricot or other conventionalbreathable lining. A soft padding 48 is secured between inner lining 46and ankle cuff and internal heel counter 36 and 34. Padding 48 alsopreferably extends between inner lining 46 and outer shell 44 in areasthat do not include heel counter 34 and cuff 36. Padding 48 ispreferably a conventional padding such as an open cell foam material.

[0049]FIG. 3 also illustrates skate tongue 50 extending in aconventional manner in front portion of upper 12.

[0050] A last board 52 permanently secures the above-described portionsof upper 12 to base 18. Preferably, rivets or other fasteners extendthrough frame 14, base 18 and last board 52. Adhesives are also used.Outer shell 44 as well as internal heel counter 34 extend at leastpartially beneath last board 52 to be sandwiched securely between lastboard 52 and base 18. The secure connection of upper 12 to base 18provides a skate that is superior in performance to any skates thatinclude removable liners since the foot of the skater can be moresecurely held within the skate and to the base and frame. An insole 54is placed over last board 52 within skate upper 12.

[0051] Turning now to FIGS. 5-13, alternate embodiments of the inventionwill now be discussed. In the figures most details of the uppers are notillustrated to more clearly depict the arrangement of the cuffs and heelcounters. Also note that the last two digits of each numbered elementcorrespond to like-numbered elements in previous embodiments.

[0052]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention. Note that like reference numbers are used throughout FIG. 5except that the number 100 has been added to each. Internal heel counter134 is connected to internal cuff 136 by a pivot neck 138. Pivot neck138 is small enough so as to create a “live hinge” between cuff 136 andheel counter 134. In this embodiment, cuff 136 may either be in the formof side panels within the sides of upper 112 or may extend around theback of the skate in a generally U-shaped configuration. The details ofmost of upper 112 are not illustrated in FIG. 5 so as to more clearlyrepresent internal heel counter 134, pivot neck 138, and internal cuff136. The remaining details are similar to those disclosed above inconnection with FIGS. 1 through 4. Movement of internal cuff 136 is alsoshown in phantom lines in FIG. 5. With cuff 136 having a U-shapedconfiguration, the structural integrity to provide medial and lateralsupport to the ankle of the skater is provided in a simple, low-cost,integral construction with internal heel counter 134 while fore and aftpivoting motion is still allowed.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present inventionwith an internal cuff 236 interfacing with an internal heel counter 234does not include a pivot pin at the center of the radius of curvature ofthe interface. In this embodiment, internal cuff 236 is interconnectedwith internal heel counter 234 by a tongue and groove arrangement asdiscussed above. However, forward and rearward arms 258 and 260 biascuff 236 to a neutral position and hold cuff 236 within groove 240.Forward and rearward arms 258 and 260 form a V-shape with the bottoms ofthe arms being connected to a heel counter pin secured between the armsand internal heel counter 234 beneath the lowest portion of groove 240.Alternatively, groove 240 may simply be a recess on the sides ofinternal heel counter 234. The upper ends of arms 258 and 260 aresecured to guide holes 262 within heel counter 234 by guide pins 264.Guide pins 264 slide within arcuate guide holes 262 and hold the sidesof cuff 236 against heel counter 234. Arms 258 and 260 may be on theinterior or exterior of internal heel counter 234. Arms 258 and 260 arepreferably constructed from a tough elastomeric material. The remainingdetails of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 are similar to theembodiments discussed above.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 7, another alternate embodiment similar tothat of FIG. 6 will be described. In this embodiment, a singleelastomeric arm 358 is fixedly secured on both ends in a horizontalfashion to internal heel counter 334. Arm 358 is secured across thelower portion of the recess in internal heel counter 334 with thelowermost part of cuff 336 disposed between arm 358 and heel counter334. Arm 358 is elastic in nature and flexible to permit fore and aftmovement of cuff 336 relative to internal heel counter 334. Depending onthe elasticity of arm 358, the lower arcuate edge of heel counter 336may rocker inside the recess created within the top of heel counter 334,thus pulling somewhat upwardly with guide pin 364 on arm 358. The recesswithin the top of heel counter 334 may have a greater radius ofcurvature so as to permit such rockering.

[0055] Another embodiment will now be discussed in connection with FIG.8. This embodiment is similar to that of FIGS. 6 and 7 discussed above.In this embodiment a flex cross 438 is interconnected between cuff 436and internal heel counter 434. The upper arm 462 of flex cross 438 issecured to cuff 436, although alternatively, multiple arms may beconnected to cuff 436 with one or more multiple arms connected tointernal heel counter 434. Again, cuff arm 462 and heel counter 458 areconnected at their ends to cuff 436 and heel counter 434, respectively.Thus, the elastic nature of flex cross 438 allows movement of cuff 436relative to heel counter 434 with either rockering or pivoting slidingaction between the arcuate portions of each.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 9, another alternate embodiment, includesreversed arcuate portions of the heel counter 534 and cuff 536 such thatcuff 536 includes a concave portion while heel counter 534 containsconvex portions. In this case, heel counter 534 may extend upwardly tojust above the ankle bones of the skater. Cuff 536 permits movement ofthe lower leg of the skater relative to internal heel counter 534.Either a recess or a groove 540 with a cuff tongue 542 interfacesbetween the two elements.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 10, an embodiment is shown wherein nopositive pivotal or linkage connection is created between a cuff 636 anda heel counter 634 other than a tongue and recess or tongue and groovearrangement. The fact that cuff 636 and internal heel counter 634 areheld within outer shell 44 of upper 612 provides enough retention of theelements such that no rivet or other fastening means is necessary.

[0058]FIG. 11 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the inventionwherein a recess 740 in the top of the internal heel counter 734 isprovided to overlap cuff 736. However, in this embodiment a guide hole762 in the form of an elongate arcuate slot is provided in the bottom ofcuff 736 adjacent a recessed portion 740 of internal heel counter 734. Aheel counter pin 756 extends through recess portion 740 and throughguide hole 762 to restrict the movement of cuff 736 and provideadditional strength thereto.

[0059] A slight rearrangement of this construction is shown in FIG. 12.In FIG. 12 the same guide pin/guide hole arrangement is utilized exceptthat a groove 840 is provided in the bottom of the recess into which acuff tongue 842 extends. In this embodiment, cuff 836 is furtherrestricted and strengthened from medial and lateral movement since cufftongue 842 cannot move laterally or medially but only slide withingroove 840. Note that the actual pivot axis of cuff 836 may be aboveheel counter pin 856 due to guide hole 862 being arcuate and providingroom for movement. Thus, the pivot axis may be at the ankle bones(malleoli) of the skater without having a rivet or pin projectinginwardly at that same location.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 13, an additional element will be describedrelating to the external portion of upper 912. In this embodiment, fullbillows 966 are provided between ankle portion 926 and four-foot portion924 to allow the two portions as well as cuff 936 and internal heelcounter 934 to move relative to each other. Billows 966 is an elasticrubbery material that is easily flexible without breaking down. In thisembodiment, full billows 966 extends from the front of the boot downbelow the ankle bone to above the heel behind the ankle bone in anarcuate fashion. Billows 966 would then extend around the rear of theskate to a substantially mirror configuration on the other side of theskate.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 14, additional support structures preferablyadded to the basic structure described above relative to FIGS. 1 through4 will now be discussed. In FIG. 14 the entire soft portion of upper 12has been removed to expose last board 1052, internal heel counter 1034,and internal cuff 1036. The construction of these three elements andarrangement in FIG. 14 is substantially similar to that discussed abovewith regard to FIGS. 1 through 4. However, outer supports 1068 and innersupports 1070 have also been added to provide a smooth transitionbetween these elements and for greater support and comfort. Outersupports 1068 are constructed of a plastic material and overlay the cuffand heel counter intersection of the skate and extend slightly forwardlytherefrom. This provides additional rigidity to the pivotal and tongueand groove arrangement of the support structure and wraps around thefoot of the skater to provide additional support. Likewise, innersupports 1070 cover the intersection between cuff 1036 and heel counter1034 on the inside of these elements and also cover the inside of pivotpin 1038 which may be a rivet or other fastener. Thus, inner supports1070 not only provide additional structural support for the foot of theskater to help maintain the proper orientation of the in-line skate, butalso provide smooth transition between the elements for maximum comfort.Supports 1068 and 1070 are fixedly secured to internal heel counter1034. Supports 1068 and 1070 are slidably secured to internal cuff 1036such that they nest against cuff 1036 so as to not hinder the movementthereof in the fore and aft directions. However, supports 1068 and 1070further strengthen cuff 1036 in the lateral and medial directions andprovide further support around the foot of the skater beyond thatprovided by heel counter 1034.

[0062] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changescan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. The basic concepts and constructions disclosed could bemodified such as by placing them on the exterior of the skate on theoutside of outer shell 44 or by changing the arrangement in any numberof ways while still maintaining basic concepts of having the rigid cuffinterconnected to the heel counter in a pivotal fashion.

[0063] A further embodiment of the present invention showing one suchalternate construction is illustrated in FIGS. 15-18. The skate 1110illustrated in FIG. 15 is constructed similarly to the skate 10 of FIG.1, with the exception of the construction and mounting of the pivotalankle support cuff. Thus, those details of the embodiment of FIGS. 15-18in common with those of FIG. 1 will not be described in great detail.Generally, the skate 1110 includes an upper 1112 that is connected to aframe 1114, between the sidewalls of which are rotatably secured aplurality of wheels 1116. The upper 1112 includes a rigid base 1118, tothe underside of which is secured the frame 1114. Securement of the base1118 to the frame 1114 may be by riveting, threaded fasteners, adhesionor other manners, as previously described, or the base 1118 and theframe 1114 may be integrally formed. In the embodiment illustrated, thebase 1118 is rigid the full length of the upper 1112, from the forwardtoe end to the rear heel end of the base. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention also applies equally well to askate that may include a flexing base 1118, having either a heel endthat is unsecured to and able to lift away from the rear end of theframe, or including a split frame having front and rear segments.

[0064] The upper 1112 also includes a substantially non-rigid upperportion 1120, that receives and surrounds the foot of a skater. Thenon-rigid upper portion 1120 runs from a forward, toe end 1122 of thebase 1118 to a rear, heel end 1124 of the base 1118. The non-rigid upperportion 1120 is formed from flexible materials, as previously described,such as leather, canvas, nylon fabric, or flexible plastic. The forwardend of the non-rigid upper 1120 is protected by a toe guard 1126 formedof a rigid or substantially rigid plastic material. The toe guard issecured to the edge of the toe end 1122 of the base 1118, and risesoutwardly therefrom to wrap the sides and upper edge of the toe portionof the substantially non-rigid upper portion 1120. The non-rigid upperportion 1120 also includes a vamp opening 1128 that overlaps a tongue1130 secured at the forwardmost end of the vamp opening 1128, andselectively closed by a fastener such as a lace 1132.

[0065] The non-rigid upper portion 1120 is internally reinforced by aninternal heel counter 1134. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the internalheel counter 1134 has a generally U-shaped configuration, and is securedabout a lower U-shaped edge thereof to the perimeter of the heel end1124 of the base 1118. The internal heel counter 1134 rises upwardlyfrom the base 1118, and wraps the rear and lateral and medial sides ofthe heel of a skater. The heel counter 1134 terminates below themalleoli, or ankle bones, of the skater, and extends forwardly to thebeginning of the instep of the skater's foot. While the internal heelcounter 1134 is received within and covered by the substantiallynon-rigid upper 1120, portions of the internal heel counter 1134 may beexposed for aesthetic reasons. In the illustrated embodiment, lateraland medial (not shown) apertures 1136 are defined in the non-rigid upperportion 1120, to expose an underlying portion of the internal heelcounter 1134.

[0066] The internal heel counter 1134 has a substantially rigidconstruction, and may be suitably formed of a rigid or substantiallyrigid plastic or metal. In the embodiment illustrated, the internal heelcounter 1134 is formed from a fiber-reinforced resin, such as a graphitefiber reinforced polyester resin composite. The non-rigid upper portion1120 extends to cover and protect the full height of the internal heelcounter 1134, except for the exposed portion of the heel counter at theapertures 1136. The non-rigid upper portion 1120 terminates below themalleoli of the user, with the exception of the tongue 1130, whichextends upwardly along the front side of the ankle, as best shown inFIG. 16. The upper 1112, formed of the non-rigid upper portion 1120,reinforced by the internal heel counter 1134, and the base 1118, thusdoes not in any way restrict pivoting or flexing of the user's ankle.

[0067] In order to support the user's ankle in the lateral and medialdirections, while enabling flexure of the ankle to a predeterminedextent in the forward and rearward direction that is unrestricted by thenon-rigid upper portion, the skate of FIGS. 15-17 includes anindependent ankle support cuff assembly 1140. The ankle support cuffassembly 1140 includes a substantially rigid ankle support cuff 1142, aninternal ankle pad 1144 (FIGS. 16 and 17), a partial external ankleshell 1146, and a selectively securable fastener 1148.

[0068] The ankle cuff 1142 has a rigid or substantially rigidconstruction. The external ankle cuff 1142 has a generally U-shapedconfiguration, defining lateral and medial sides that each terminate ata lower end in pivot extensions 1148. The cuff 1142 is contoured so thatit wraps around and supports the rear side of the ankle, and extendingover the malleoli, including concave portions to accommodate themalleoli protrusions of a skater's ankle. The pivot extensions 1148extend downwardly below the malleoli, and are pivotally secured byrivets 1150 to the lateral and medial sides of the heel counter 1134.The pivotal connection provided at the rivets 1150 is horizontallyaligned with but slightly below the pivot axis of the ankle. The anklesupport cuff 1142 can be constructed from similar materials as describedabove for the internal heel counter 1134.

[0069] The ankle pad 1144 wraps about the user's ankle and extendsdownwardly inside the ankle support cuff 1142. The ankle pad 1144 isformed from a soft cushioning material, such as an elastomeric foam. Theankle pad 1144 is larger than the ankle support cuff 1142, extendingfurther upwardly, forwardly, and downwardly than the ankle support cuff1142. When combined with the tongue 1130, the ankle pad 1144 completelywraps the user's ankle. The pad 1140 projects downwardly into theinterior of the upper 1112, defining a lower edge that terminates justabove an insole 1160. However, the pad 1140 is not connected to orsecured to the internal heel counter 1134 or the upper 1120, but ratheris independent thereof. The ankle pad 1140 is lined with a fabric sheet1162, which extends over the inner surface of the pad 1144 and wrapsdownwardly and over the outer surface of the pad 1144. In a preferredembodiment, the fabric sheet 1162 extends further downwardly over anupper edge of the ankle support cuff 1142. The fabric 1162 forms aportion of the exterior shell 1146 of the ankle cuff. The exterior shell1146 is finished by the securable fastener, such as a strap with a hookand loop closure, that surrounds the forward side of the ankle, crossingin front of the tongue 1130 to fasten the ankle cuff assembly about theuser's lower leg, just above the ankle. The ankle cuff assembly 1110,consisting of the cuff 1142, pad 1140, shell 1146 and strap 1148, iscoupled to the upper 1112 only through pivotal connection of the cuff1142 to the internal heel counter 1134 at the pivot points defined bythe rivets 1150, except that the tongue 1130 extends upwardly into thecuff. This enables the user to freely flex the ankle, pivoting the anklesupport cuff assembly 1110 relative to the heel counter 1134 freely andwithout resistance, in the fore and aft direction.

[0070] A gap is defined between the partial ankle shell 1146 and thenon-rigid upper 1120. While a lateral and medial rivet pivot isdisclosed, other pivoting constructions, such as those described above,may be utilized, including a flexible linkage between the upper andlower portions of an integrated cuff and heel counter assembly, or abellows linkage. The lower edge of the internal heel counter 1134 may besecured to the base 1118 by any of the methods disclosed above, such assewing, adhesion, or riveting. Likewise, the ankle pad 1144 and partialankle shell 1146 may be adhered to the ankle cuff 1142 by variousmethods known to those in shoe construction, such as by stitching, as ispreferred, or by adhesion.

[0071] These and various other alterations and variations to thedisclosed embodiments may be made, all within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, while an in-line skate has been disclosed, iceskates are also within the scope of the present invention. It is thusintended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsdependent hereto, and not by the disclosed embodiments.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A skate including aplurality of wheels disposed along a common longitudinal axis, the skatecomprising: a base defining an upper surface, a lower surface, and toeand heel ends; a frame secured to the undersurface of the base formounting the plurality of wheels; a substantially non-rigid upperportion adapted to receive a skater's foot, the non-rigid upper portionbeing secured to the upper surface of the base; a substantially rigidinternal heel counter secured to the heel end of the base and projectingupwardly therefrom within and covered at least in part by thesubstantially non-rigid upper portion; a substantially rigid anklesupport cuff pivotally secured to an upper edge of the internal heelcounter, the ankle support cuff being able to pivot relative to the heelcounter independently of the non-rigid upper portion, the ankle supportcuff being fastenable about the ankle of a skater; and an ankle padlining an interior of the ankle support cuff.
 2. The skate of claim 1 ,wherein the ankle support cuff is completely separate from thesubstantially non-rigid upper portion.
 3. The skate of claim 1 , whereinthe ankle pad extends downwardly below the ankle cuff and within theinternal heel counter
 4. The skate of claim 3 , wherein a lower edge ofthe ankle pad is free and separate from the internal heel counter. 5.The skate of claim 1 , further comprising at least a partial outer ankleshell covering an exterior of the ankle cuff.
 6. The skate of claim 5 ,wherein the outer ankle shell is substantially non-rigid.
 7. The skateof claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the substantially rigid anklecuff is exposed between the partial ankle shell and the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion.
 8. The skate of claim 1 , wherein the anklecuff is pivotally connected on lateral and medial sides thereof to theinternal heel counter.
 9. The skate of claim 1 , wherein a gap isdefined between a lower rear edge of the ankle cuff and an upper edge ofthe upper shoe portion.
 10. The skate of claim 1 , wherein the base issubstantially rigid.
 11. The skate of claim 1 , wherein at least aportion of the substantially non-rigid upper portion is formed from abreathable material.
 12. A skate including a plurality ofground-engaging wheels, comprising: a base defining an upper surface, anundersurface, and a toe and heel end; a frame secured to theundersurface of the base for mounting the plurality of wheels; asubstantially non-rigid upper portion adapted to receive a skater's footand secured to the upper surface of the base, the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion extending upwardly from the base and terminatingbelow the ankle of a skater; a substantially rigid internal heel countermounted within and covered at least partially by the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion; and a pivotable ankle support assemblyconnected to the internal heel counter at only lateral and medial sidesthereof, the ankle cuff assembly including a substantially rigid anklecuff and internal ankle pad.
 13. A skate including a plurality ofground-engaging rollers, comprising: a base defining an upper surface,an under surface, and a toe and heel end; a frame secured to the undersurface of the base for mounting the plurality of rollers; asubstantially non-rigid upper portion adapted to receive a skater's footand secured to the upper surface of the base, the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion extending upwardly from the base and terminatingbelow the ankle of a skater; a substantially rigid internal heel countermounted within and at least partially covered by the substantiallynon-rigid upper portion; and an ankle cuff pivotally connected to anupper edge of the internal heel counter, and pivotal forwardly relativeto the internal heel counter free of any substantial resistance from thesubstantially non-rigid upper portion.
 14. The skate of claim 13 ,further including an ankle pad lining an interior surface of the anklecuff and extending downwardly into and freely received within aninterior of the heel counter.